As for the reason for the fire, it is very simple, that is, the troops who went out to look for mules and horses have returned empty-handed.

"Why are there so many people in Baga, not even a single mule or horse can be found, why?" Itagaki Seishiro saw a squadron leader who had returned empty-handed again, and roared loudly at everyone in the headquarters.

"Hi, Your Excellency, Division Commander. The people in the villages around us have long since been evacuated, and I have searched all the villages within a radius of 20 miles with my troops. But they were all empty, and there was not a single mule or horse in sight," Facing the division commander with an angry face on his face, the squadron leader replied in a low voice.

"Baga must be the Eighth Route Army, they must have retreated all the ordinary people around. Eight Geya Road, from the time we walked out of Taiyuan City, to the present. Everything is a conspiracy, and it is all a conspiracy against the Fifth Division of our Imperial Empire," Seishiro Itagaki said fiercely, and sat down on the stool of the headquarters.

"Division commander, it seems that it is impossible to find enough mules and horses. But we have to find a way, and tomorrow we have to keep attacking. Today, in one day, we have received three urgent telegrams from His Excellency the Commander, all of which are asking our troops to speed up the march" Seeing that Seishiro Itagaki was in a slightly calmed mood, the chief of staff hurriedly reminded.

"Chief of Staff, I know we've lost quite a bit of time. However, without enough mules and horses, our artillery, and our baggage, we could not carry forward with the troops. Especially the baggage ammunition, without these, when we encounter the main force of the Eighth Route Army, what will we use to fight a decisive battle with the other party? Listening to the words of the chief of staff, although Seishiro Itagaki understood, he still shook his head helplessly.

"Divisional commander, but His Excellency Commander's order is that if we can't continue tomorrow, he will re-appoint a division commander to take your command," the chief of staff reminded again in a whisper.

"Baga, the hateful chief of staff of the Eighth Route Army, do you have any good way" Listening to the words of the chief of staff, Seishiro Itagaki was angry. But it is undeniable that what the chief of staff said is true.

"Hi, Division Commander. I think that the battle we are going to face will go smoothly. We have to carry the baggage ammunition of the baggage wing. But the heavy artillery of the artillery wing, we are not left "suggested the chief of staff.

"Huh? Leave 12 howitzers of the heavy artillery brigade? Chief of Staff, tell me your reason? Seishiro Itagaki raised his head, a hint of surprise appeared on his face, and quickly asked.

"Hi, Division Commander. I think there are two reasons why we can leave the heavy artillery brigade of the field artillery wing. One reason is that in addition to these 12 heavy guns, our division has more than 60 artillery pieces of various types, which is enough to suppress the small number of artillery units of the Eighth Route Army. Another reason is that the base area of the Eighth Route Army is located in a mountainous area, which is very unfavorable for the advance of heavy artillery. Plus each heavy cannon requires at least six mules and horses to pull it, plus a large number of heavy artillery shells. If we had left 12 heavy guns and all the heavy artillery shells, it would have saved us 150 mules and horses," explained the chief of staff.

"Yo Xi, 150 mules and horses, if you have these 150 mules and horses. Our baggage team is full of movement. Thank you, Chief of Staff, for the reminder, your proposal is very good and very well reasoned. I decided that we would leave the heavy artillery brigade of the field artillery wing and all the heavy artillery shells, and in addition, all the mules and horses saved would be handed over to the baggage wing for distribution." After listening to the chief of staff's explanation, the division commander suddenly opened his mouth and immediately nodded in agreement.

"Hey, Your Excellency the Division Commander is wise, in this case, we will have enough mules and horses tomorrow to move on." The chief of staff replied with a smile, and by the way, slapped the ass of the division commander.

"Yo Xi, this is all thoughtful to you, Chief of Staff. However, the chief of staff, 12 heavy guns, as well as a large number of heavy artillery shells. For the Eighth Route Army, which is short of weapons and ammunition, it is a very huge temptation, and we have to guard against this, if we lose these 12 heavy guns, even if the encirclement and suppression are victorious, we will not be able to escape the trial of the military court. Seishiro Itagaki reminded again of a very important question.

"Hey, Your Excellency, Division Commander, I'm too worried. No matter how strong the combat effectiveness of the Eighth Route Army was, they could only fight some guerrilla warfare and sneak attack warfare. As for positional warfare, they are no match for our Imperial Army in any way. When the time comes, we will have enough troops left, plus the cooperation of these heavy artillery. As long as the Eighth Route Army arrives, I think they will be wiped out in front of the Imperial Army's position. The chief of staff replied confidently.

"Yo Xi, the chief of staff said it very well. Listening to your words has made me more confident in the next battle. I think the chief of staff is so confident, he must have a candidate for this unit in his heart! The division commander, Seishiro Itagaki, nodded with satisfaction and asked with a smile.

"Hi, it's a humble honor to serve His Excellency the Division Commander. The humble man did think of a unit in his heart" Listening to the words of the division commander, the chief of staff quickly stood up and replied while showing loyalty.

"Yo Xi, I know the thoughts of the chief of staff, I know your loyalty, sit down! Tell me about the person you have in mind" Seishiro Itagaki asked with a satisfied nod when he saw the nervous chief of staff.

"Hey, division commander, I think the 11th Infantry Wing is the most suitable unit to stay." The Chief of Staff replied in the affirmative.

"Why?" Itagaki Seishiro didn't expect that the chief of staff's opinion was the same as his own, so he subconsciously asked.

"Division commander, the 11th Wing has lost more than half of its losses in yesterday's battle. All the combat personnel of the entire wing combined are only 2,000 people at most. It can be said that it is a unit that has been broken up all the time. This force, if it is used to attack the Eighth Route Army head-on, then the combat effectiveness is only half of what it was before the war. However, if you use it for defense, it is indeed more than enough. With the assistance of two brigades of infantry, plus a brigade of heavy artillery. As long as the two armies cooperate properly, they can block the attack of a division of the Eighth Route Army. The chief of staff said confidently again.

"Yo Xi, Chief of Staff, your thoughts coincide with mine, it seems that you are really a hero who sees the same thing, haha, just do what the Chief of Staff wants, and leave the Heavy Artillery Brigade and the 11th Infantry Wing. All the remaining troops, set off on time at eight o'clock tomorrow morning" After listening to the chief of staff's analysis, Seishiro Itagaki smiled even more, nodded with satisfaction, and ordered.

"Hi, Your Excellency, Division Commander, this is a humble honor. I'm going to deliver orders to the Heavy Artillery Brigade and the 11th Infantry Wing," the chief of staff replied with a smile, turning around and proceeding to deliver the latest operational orders.

And just like that, early the next morning. The main force of the army began to set off and continued to march towards the center of the base area. The heavy artillery brigade was left behind, as well as the 11th Infantry Wing. Although the soldiers and the supreme commanders of these units were very dissatisfied with this order. However, in the face of the eyes of the division commander Itagaki Seishiro who could kill at any time, even if these soldiers had words, they could only hold back in their stomachs.

"Your Excellency, Wing Commander, since the division commander has left us behind, then we must properly complete the tasks assigned to us by His Excellency the division commander. Your Excellency Wing Commander would like to ask us to assign tasks to our heavy artillery brigade and demarcate the area where we can be stationed. After seeing the division commander Seishiro Itagaki leave, the captain of the heavy artillery brigade hurriedly ran to the commander of the 11th Infantry Wing, Yuichiro Nagano, and said flatteringly. You must know that the safety of your heavy artillery brigade in the next few days is in the hands of this wing commander.

"Yo Xi, Shaomura-kun. The division commander left our 11th Infantry Wing with the task of protecting the safety of the heavy artillery brigade. How can I overstep my authority? Let's ask Shaomura Shaosa to assign combat missions to our 11th Infantry Wing," Wing Commander Yuichiro Nagano replied dissatisfied.

You must know that the reason why your wing wants to stay is to protect this so-called heavy artillery brigade. Although, at this time, the captain of the heavy artillery brigade was flattering to talk to himself. However, the thought of other wings killing the enemy on the front line made meritorious contributions. And his own 11th Infantry Wing, although more than half of the casualties, was an inch. Wing Captain Yuichiro Nagano Osa was depressed for a while, and replied without anger.

"Your Excellency, please don't be angry, I know you're very uncomfortable being left behind to protect the heavy artillery brigade. But this is the decision of His Excellency the division commander, and I can't change it. In fact, Your Excellency, Wing Commander, here, your Wing and my Heavy Artillery Brigade may not be unable to make great contributions. The captain of the heavy artillery brigade, Ichiro Hiromura, said disapprovingly.

"Meritorious service has also made great contributions, I, Yuichiro Nagano, will listen carefully today, we were left behind, how could we make great contributions?" Listening to the words of the captain of the heavy artillery group, Yuichiro Nagano said with a sarcastic face.

"Hi, Your Excellency Wing Commander, I think you should know the reason why the division commander left two brigades of troops to protect these heavy artillery. After the main force of the division is gone, these heavy artillery, which is not protected by many troops, will definitely become a piece of fat in the minds of the Eighth Route Army. In this case, then the Eighth Route Army will definitely send a large number of troops to seize these heavy artillery. When the time comes, it will be a good time for us to make a contribution," said the captain of the heavy artillery brigade with a mysterious face.

"Eshao Cunjun, tell me the plan in your heart, how should you make a contribution?" After listening to Ichiro Shomura's words, Wing Captain Yuichiro Nagano Osa immediately became interested and asked excitedly, and there was no longer the sarcastic words just now.

"Your Excellency, Wing Commander, is serious. That's what I think. At that time, the Eighth Route Army will definitely fight to seize the artillery for the 12 cannons of the heavy artillery brigade. If we build a complete line of fortifications around the artillery positions before the Eighth Route Army attacks. With the fortifications and all kinds of equipment in our hands, a large number of effective forces of the Eighth Route Army were killed and wounded. Ichiro Shomura explained with a smile.

"Yo Xi, I understand, thank you Shaocun-kun for your guidance, otherwise I would definitely miss such a good opportunity to make meritorious contributions." After listening to Ichiro Shomura's explanation, Yuichiro Nagano said with satisfaction. At the same time, he did not forget to bow to Ichiro Hiromura, who was pointing out in front of him.

"Your Excellency, Wing Commander, is polite, this is what a lowly duty should do. Please ask the Wing Commander to give the Heavy Artillery Brigade a combat mission and demarcate the garrison area" Seeing that the Wing Commander had lifted his spirits, Ichiro Shomura also asked excitedly.

"Yo Xi Shaomura-kun. Between us, although my rank is higher than yours. However, there is no subordination between us, so you are welcome. As for how to implement this battle plan, the two of us will discuss it in detail, so that the plan will not only be more detailed, but also give better play to the strengths of our two armies."

"Hi, Your Excellency Wing Captain is wise," Ichiro Shaomura nodded thoughtfully.

In this way, after half an hour of discussion, the two finally decided on a specific battle plan. "Due to the threat of the tunnels in Gong Village, the heavy artillery brigade was stationed under the mountain beam about a kilometer away from Gong Village. The two remaining brigades built a defensive position with a radius of two kilometers around the perimeter of the heavy artillery position according to the surrounding terrain. The entire 11 Infantry Wing, with the exception of the reserve of two squadrons, almost all the remaining units, were sent to the front-line positions. ”

Seeing his carefully planned defense plan, Yuichiro Nagano was unusually excited. After completing the plan, Yuichiro Nagano did not hesitate and immediately began to order his soldiers to dig fortifications and arrange various heavy weapons. At the same time, in order to guard against the threat of the cavalry of the Eighth Route Army, countless traps were dug on the periphery of the position

Finally, after almost a day of hard work by more than 2,000 little devils, a complete defensive position finally appeared in the eyes of the two. Walking around the entire defensive position, the corners of Yuichiro Nagano's mouth once again showed a confident smile. Because he believed that with the fortifications here, it would be almost impossible to break through the defense lines of the enemy's 11th Infantry Wing without the cover of heavy artillery.

"Yo Xi, Your Excellency, the fortifications you have laid out have really opened my eyes. I believe that under such a strong fortification, as long as the Eighth Route Army arrives, then this place will become their meat grinder after all" Seeing the already large-scale fortifications in front of him, Ichiro Shomura, the captain of the heavy artillery brigade, said excitedly.

"Hehe, Shaocun-kun, you have won the award, compared to positional warfare, the cunning Eighth Route Army can't compare with our excellent imperial army at all. Now let's sit at the headquarters and quietly wait for the arrival of the Eighth Route Army! Listening to the praise of the captain of the heavy artillery brigade, Yuichiro Nagano nodded very helpfully.

Of course, such a big change happened in Gongcun, so naturally he couldn't escape, and he kept following the eyes of the Fifth Division's Special Operations Brigade. At the first moment when the Fifth Division of the Japanese Army left Gongcun, leaving behind two brigades of infantry and heavy artillery. The telegram of the special operations brigade was transmitted to the hands of the commander Liu Hua.

"Chief of Staff, what do you think of the army's actions today?" After reading the latest enemy briefing from the special operations team. Liu Hua frowned and asked Li Qing, the chief of staff beside him, who was also in deep thought.

"Division commander, this Itagaki Seishiro is really cunning enough, he knows that the heavy artillery he carries is not only of no great use to the Eighth Route Army in the mountains. What's more, these heavy artillery will also drag them back. took the initiative to leave these heavy artillery, and also saved a large number of mules and horses, this old boy is really cunning enough. The chief of staff said hatefully.

"Chief of Staff, weapons and ammunition for a heavy artillery brigade. You know, that's a 150mm heavy howitzer! He wasn't afraid that our readers would rob these cannons. Liu Hua also said depressedly.

"Commander, you're not wrong! The heavy artillery brigade is surrounded by two elite brigades. If these little devils set up their positions in Gong Village, we may be able to win by relying on the tunnel sneak attack. However, if we do it hard with the little devils, we can't afford to lose," after listening to the commander's words, the chief of staff hurriedly reminded.

"Hehe, this time I'm going to do the opposite, and I'm going to do it hard against the little devil once. Chief of Staff, I have decided to revise the original battle plan, suspend the attack on Taiyuan City, and first eliminate the Fifth Division of the little devils. At this moment, Liu Hua suddenly found a huge fighter plane in the layout of the army.

"Commander, I heard you right! Destroy the Fifth Division of the Yue Army, this is more than 10,000 well-equipped and well-trained Yue Army, don't be impulsive" Listening to Liu Hua's words, Chief of Staff Li Qing looked at the unashamed commander Liu Hua in front of him in a daze.

"Hehe, you heard me right. It is to eliminate the Fifth Division of the Japanese Army. This time, even if we have exhausted our family resources, we are also worthy of the chief of staff, and immediately organize the operational staff officers of the staff department to work out a plan to encircle the point and send reinforcements. Today, I will surround the heavy artillery brigade of the Japanese army and give the little devils a round up to send reinforcements. Liu Hua didn't hesitate, nodded affirmatively, and ordered to the stunned chief of staff beside him.

"Yes, division commander, I'll do it right away, it's just that I still want you to think about it, after all, there are more than 10,000 well-equipped little devils." The chief of staff nodded, turned around and began to rush to combat the staff and make a new battle plan.

In less than half an hour, the chief of staff handed over a plan to Liu Hua. Liu Hua didn't say anything about the result plan. I began to look at it seriously, and while reading, I made corrections with a pen. Ten minutes later, Liu Hua closed the plan and handed it over to Chief of Staff Li Qing again.

(To be continued)